A NEWPORT homeless charity is set to receive donations of fresh produce grown in the gardens of a housing association in Pontypool.

Torfaen’s Melin Homes have teamed up with Eden Gate and launched a bid to help people living on the street improve their diet.

The housing association worked with Robert Price and Morris’s of Usk to create the garden, with both companies donating materials and time for the project.

Marc Hepton, the operations manager at Eden Gate, said: “We were over the moon to be invited to the garden opening, the support from Melin has been great. Receiving the first crop of lettuces has been a privilege.”

Tom Morris, from Morris’s of Usk garden centre, said: “It has been our pleasure to support Melin with their garden.

“Knowing all the plants we have donated will help those in need at Eden Gate makes projects like this so worthwhile. We look forward to working with Melin on future projects.”

The garden centre donated plants to the garden while staff volunteers offered tips to help the fruit and vegetables grow to their full potential.

Melin Homes staff will be donating their time to tend to the garden throughout the year, which will count toward a company volunteering scheme.